My Goal To The Baylor Men's Tennis Team

I went from being one of the best players in New England to middle of the pack at a top academy. My classmates are from all over the world, including China, India and Venezuela. I work hard to keep pace, dedicate extra time with coaches and appreciate the structured time for our academic classes. These experiences have helped me to learn more than the game of tennis: balance, commitment, nutrition, preparation and teamwork. More importantly, these experiences have helped me believe in myself and look at challenges as opportunities. I would like to encourage other girls and women to build confidence and work toward their

As I first joined the Prince George’s Tennis and Education Foundation tennis team, I was extremely pleased with the environment. I was met with friendly individuals and warm personalities from my peers and coaches alike. The coaches were exceptionally supportive, and I maintained a healthy, competitive relationship with my peers. Athletically, the PGTEF coaches were devoted to assisting the members of the team in comprehending

Being ranked number one on the Vacaville High School Varsity Tennis Team was one of the most mentally challenging events during high school. I love tennis, but it was very difficult balancing all of my Advanced Placement classes, trying to having some sort of a social life and playing tennis year-round all at the same time. The only reason being number one was mentally challenging was because I was losing most of of my matches. I thought about quitting the tennis team more times than I could count. It was my first year playing in the number one spot and I was not ready to play against such high-level tennis players. I knew that if I didn't show up we would lose because the rest of the team would have to play against a player that is one level

I constantly fought this mental battle of giving in to the temptation of not playing and letting all of my teammates and coaches down, or growing thicker skin and sucking up the pain in order to satisfy the voice in the back of my mind. This period of turmoil seemed to not have an end. Then, as if by miracle, everything changed as I entered my junior year in high school. My knee pains had nearly disappeared, I shed most of the extra weight I had, I even developed my shooting and dribbling to the point where my peers began to notice the drastic “transformation” I went through. That season, I lead my team in points, rebounds, and blocks per game and made it to the semi-finals of the state championship tournament, the furthest the program had gone in four years.

From time to time, I feel that everything I do is worthless if I don’t make it to college, or win my tennis tournament, or get straight A’s. I get overwhelmed thinking that I will let down people who believed in me when the world thought I should fail. A stop light is flashing. It’s a sign. No one will be mad or disappointed with me. My family, friends, and God love me for the way I am. I am doing my best and that is all I should be focused on. I am smiling as we are passing tennis courts and pulling up at the school’s parking lot. I can see courageous little girl swinging with her pink racket and missing bright green balls. That reminded me of the times I dove, fell, cried, and tore my skin in order to finally hit that ball where I want it and when I want it. So much passion and focus was put in every practice and match I have ever had. Yes, I hoped for the rain, occasionally, so I can skip my practice. But,I have never said it out loud. I was always there to protect my dream and give all I have for tennis. This girl is doing the same, even though her dad is getting inpatient and she is stumbling by the racket's weight. It’s about overcoming inner fears and what others think of me. This is so clear to me now as I am looking at countless misses that this young hero makes.

In 2010 I started taking tennis more serious. I played 5 days a week at my neighborhood tennis courts. It was really hard at first, I'm not gonna lie, I hated running a four-court suicide and playing a tennis match where the sun was blocking my view. But as I had more understanding of the game. My coaches encouraged me to improve and as I progressed, my coaches spoke of my potential. I advanced to the top class.

Next up, Christine Huynh and Serena Williams. Walking out to the court was probably the most terrifying, but honorable accomplishment that I have ever achieved. Serena Williams, ranked number one in women's singles tennis, had always been a role model, from her constant determination and ambition to her fierce movements on the court. After years of training, I considered myself assuredly prepared to compete with the legendary player. The first game passed, following the second. I noticed crowds were roaring. Parents were crying. Lights were flashing. The officials announced, “Christine Huynh, winner of the 2016 Tennis Tournament!” Tears ran down my face. Knees fell to the ground, as I can finally say that I defeated Serena Williams.

I still recall the many hours spent as a kid hitting a tennis ball against the drywall in my empty garage. Tennis has inspired much of my intrinsic growth since then, both socially and mentally, developing two core values that I continue to adhere to today: persistence and making a substantial impact. Consistently pushing through situations in which I have struggled has contributed to my persistence and my desire to excel, whether as a professional tennis coach or as an aspiring physician in a medical care facility. I have come to learn that with people in general, there is really no losing; everyone has something they want or need that makes them tick, and throughout my tennis coaching career, I have found that the more you are able to understand people’s wants or needs, the more influential you can be for them.

As a part of the George Washington University’s Varsity Women’s Tennis Team (as well as of my country’s National Tennis Team), I am confident that I qualify for this job. Being part of a team has provided me with countless, invaluable experiences in the areas of time management, discipline, accountability, and team spirit. For more than 10 years, by working constantly with new and diverse people

My name is Kristen Case, and I am currently the Head Boys and Girls Tennis Coach at Newport Harbor High School in Newport Beach, CA.  I am writing to you with a high recommendation for Anna Ramashkevich who I have had the pleasure of coaching for the last four years. Not only have I been Anna’s coach, but I have also had the pleasure of being her mentor. I have watched Anna grow into a team player as well as a leader. She has the natural athletic talent, but it is her character that I wish to highlight. Her strength lies in her ability to motivate and uplift others. Not only that, but her maturity has allowed her to grown into a poised, respectable and confident young woman. As her coach, mentor and friend, I have seen Anna

Just like the guitar for Taylor Swift, writings for Ms. Lawler, Sports, especially ball games, are my things. My parents have always taught me to stay active and their love for tennis has influenced me to participate in this activity. Even though the weather in central Pennsylvania does not give me much chance to play, I always keep a racket in my room. Black and white color block with pink lines, my lovely tennis racket has been wrapped in a black velvet bag and awaits my calls to bring it back to the court. Now, whenever I hold my little tennis buddy on the field and use its supports to withstand the opponent’s attack, I recall a particular moment of my tennis lesson and a part of advice my coach gives me.

Every dash to the net from the baseline of the court resulted in a sharp throb that would occur deep within my bones as each stride made contact with the firm, 78-foot-long court. Mistaking ignorance for grit, I chose to ignore this discomfort. I deemed seeing my name on the roster for the girl’s high school tennis team as my reward for enduring such pain my freshman year. Yet I wasn’t able to ignore the problem for long.

I started playing tennis at the age of 5 by the influence of my father, Glaucier Oliveira, who is a well renowned coach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He always motivated me to be perfectionist in everything that I do inside and outside of the court, which was very important to make me aim high in life and pursuit my dreams. Ever since, my passion for the sport just became bigger, which made me start competing by the age of 8 in State tournaments. Tennis has opened many doors in my life, giving me the opportunity to study and play tennis in a great University in United Sates, which was one of my dreams. It has given me the opportunity to see the world, travel to five different countries and meet people of all different cultures. I also had the

Goal orientation has always been an important attribute of my personality. It is a necessity of mine to create reasonable goals within every realm of my life. It is also a necessity to create dream goals, giving me the ability to strive for something greater than myself. In compliance with this mentality, I expect myself to achieve all goals, no matter the complexity or improbability. I find that making goals and achieving goals keeps me in the mindset to be successful; they keep me motivated, focused, and accountable.

Nevertheless, I was also able to venture out of my academic comfort zone and be a part of the Kingsway high school experience. I tried out for my first athletic team ever my freshman year, Girl’s Tennis. Being a part of that community, learning what it takes to be the best through practice, depending on my teammates in order to be victorious, and so much more, was an unforgettable experience to me. As with my goal to improve, I played Junior Varsity for my first two years, and through my efforts, I made the jump to varsity. Along with that, I